New campaign goal announced in front of Ireland's Taoiseach Enda Kenny and US President Bill Clinton at The Worldwide Ireland Funds Conference in Cork

CORK, Ireland, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Worldwide Ireland Funds' President and CEO, Kieran McLoughlin, announced at the 2012 Worldwide Ireland Funds Conference in Cork that the goal for the Promising Irelandcampaign was being raised from the initial target of $100 million by the end of 2013 to $140 million within the same time frame. The initial goal of $100 million was exceeded in May, 19 months before the campaign closing date.

The Promising Ireland campaign is a philanthropic initiative to raise much-needed assistance for charities from among the Funds' global network in 12 countries. The new target will require the Funds to raise $1 million a month between now and December 2013.

Announcing the new goal for the campaign, Mr. McLoughlin said, "The response to the Promising Ireland campaign is an affirmation of our donors' belief in Ireland's future. The impact of the campaign is best illustrated by the fact that, of the $432 million the Funds have raised since our inception in 1976, $122 million has been raised in the last 3 years. In other words, over a quarter of our entire income has been raised in a tenth of our history. Already the Promising Ireland campaign has provided support to more than 350 charities whose work is vital at a time of intense social need and diminished resources. "

Over 200 supporters from 8 countries gathered in Cork, Ireland for the announcement at the annual Worldwide Ireland Funds Conference. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and US President Bill Clinton were in attendance to celebrate the progress of the campaign and the impact it has already made to charities in Ireland and beyond. Celebrating the Funds' commitment to the arts, the 40th anniversary of its Literary Award was marked with a special lifetime award to Seamus Heaney.

Joan Freeman, Founder of Pieta House, one of the 350+ organizations assisted by the Promising Ireland campaign said, "The wonderful news is that the Promising Ireland campaign is actually saving lives. Our attitude towards ourselves has changed dramatically because of The Ireland Funds. Before we saw ourselves as a charity, we no longer think of ourselves as a charity. Now we like to ask people to invest."

For more information on the Promising Ireland campaign and a listing of organizations that have received support, visit www.theirelandfunds.org

Notes to Editors:

About The Worldwide Ireland Funds:

The Worldwide Ireland Funds is an international philanthropic network operating in 12 countries that has raised over $430 million for worthy causes in Ireland and around the world. The mission of the Funds is to be the largest network of friends of Ireland dedicated to supporting programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland. Founded in 1976, the Ireland Funds have assisted over 1,200 organizations.

In response to the severe downturn in the Irish Economy, The Worldwide Ireland Funds launched the Promising Ireland campaign in 2009 to raise funds over a five-year period to support charities that are experiencing an increased demand for their services at a time of a major reduction in resources. The initial campaign goal of raising $100 million was revised to $140 million when the initial goal was exceeded 19 months before the campaign's end. The campaign's title, "Promising Ireland", reflects the Funds' pledge to these groups as well as their belief in Ireland's future. Over 350 outstanding projects and organizations have received support from the Promising Ireland campaign.